Marking device



G. J. ANDERSON AND W. B. SMITH.

MARKING DEVICE. APPLICATIONFILED MAN. 2?. 1919.

Patented June 8, 1920.

2 SHEETS- 8'd1EET i.

W/ TNESSES A TTORNfY G, J. ANDERSON AND w. RLSMITH. MARKING DEVICE.

1,3Li3073 APPLICATION HQLED MAR. 27, 1919;. June 8 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

1| IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII; l w I 5 Arron/ms NITED STATES PATNT OFFICE.

GEORGE vJ'. ANDERSON AND WILLIAM RODOLFI-I SMITH, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO;SAID ANDERSON ASSIGNOR TO SAID SMITH.

MARKING DEVICE.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known. that we, Gnonen J. ANDERSON, a citizen of the UnitedStates, and WILLIAM .ioDoLrH SMITH, a subject of the King oi GreatBritain, and both residents of Cleveland, in the county of Cuyahoga andState of Ohio, have invented a new and Improved Marking Device, of whichthe following is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to marking devices which can be used fordiiierent purposes but are more particularly adapted for the marking orbranding of articles such as rubber tires, inner tubes and the like.More particularly, the invention relates to a marking device which canbe used for stamping or branding different articles and which can beadjusted to adapt the device for eilicient use with articles havingcurved, rounded or other abnormal forms or contours.

An object of the invention is to provide a simple, inexpensive andefficient marking device which is compact in form, which can beinexpensively produced and marketed, which can be easily manipulated,and with which a variety of dies or stamps bearing different letters,symbols or the like can be employed.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of this kindwhich may be adjusted to adapt the dies or stamps to different forms orcontours, without removing them from the device or replacing them.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a marking devicein which the dies or stamps are adjustably held, in which the dies orstamps can be secured in diiierent adjustments, or in which they can bemanipulated while the device is in use, so that the dies or stamps willbe efiiciently contacted with the surface to be marked.

The invention consists in the construction and combination of parts, tobe more fully described hereinafter and particularly set forth in theclaims.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings forming a part ofthis specification, in which similar characters of refcrence indicatecorresponding parts in all the views, and in which- Figure 1 is a sideelevation of an embodiment of our invention, showing parts thereof incross section;

Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the device shown in Fig. 1;

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed March 27, 1919.

Patented June 8, 1920.. Serial No. 285,516.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal, longitudinal sec tion on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is an inverted bottom view of the device shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a detail of construction Fig. 6 is atransverse section of the marking device;

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 6, showing certain of the parts indifferent positions;

Figs. 8, 9 and 10 are side elevations of automobile tires, showing thesame marked or branded by means of our marking device;

Fig. 11 is an end elevation of a simple holderfor use with one oi thedies or stamps of our invention;

Fig. 12 is a view similar to Fig. 11, showing a slightly modifiedholder; and

Figs. 13, 1 1 and 15 show respectively, different forms or types ofstamps or dies capable of use with our marking device.

Before proceeding to a more detailed explanation of our invention, itshould be understood. that the device may be used either for branding orfor marking by means of ink, pigment or the like. When used forbranding, the dies or stamps are heated in any suitable or convenientmanner, for example, by means of a gas flame or blow torch. It isdesirable to heat the dies sufficiently to cause the branded surface tobe permanently marked, but the degree of heat need not be excessive. Foruse in connection with articles such as rubber tires, inner tubes, etc.,with which class of articles our marking device is particularly useful,when used for marking, without branding, the dies or stamps may beapplied in the usual manner to an ink pad or similar source of pigment,and pressed firmly against the surface to be marked.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, Figs. 1 to 7 inclusive, inthe form of the marking device shown herewith as an exemplification weprovide a base 20, consisting of a top plate 28 having at itslongitudinal edges, downwardly directed flanges constituting side bars21, and end members 22 positioned between the extremities of the sidebars 21 and attached thereto in any suitable manner. Preferably, the topplate 28 and the side bars 21 are of sheet metal, and the end members orcross-pieces 22 are solid metal bars. A U-shaped frame 23 is arrangedover the base and has outwardlyturned feet 24 at its extremities. A a U-shaped bridge 25 is disposed within the frame 23, and likewise has atits extremities outwardly-turned feet 26 which are positioned under thefeet 24 of the frame. The latter and the bridge are securely mountedupon the top plate 28, by means of rivets 27 located in registeringopenings of the end members 22, the top plate 28 and the feet 24 and 26.As will be seen in Fig. 2, the

bridge 25 is considerably wider than the frame 23 and has one of itssides vertical and the other side outwardly and upwardly inclined. Ahandle or grip 29, of suitable shape and form, is attached to the frame23 in any convenient manner, for example by means of a bolt 30.

. Arranged within the base of the marking device is a die or stampholder, consisting in the present form, of a U-shaped wire frame 31having similar side lengths 32, a connecting cross-length .33 andinwardlyturned extremities 34. The side lengths of the holder aredisposed in transverse openings 35 of the cross-bars 22. The sidelengths 32 of the holder are spaced inwardly a short distance from theside bars 21 of the base, as is shown in Fig. 4. The dies or stamps,which may be of different forms, are mounted upon the holder, betweenthe side bars 21 and the cross-members 22 of the base. The dies shown inFigs. 1 to 7 consist of plates 36 of metal or other suitable material,having at the ends, pairs of similar outwardlypr0jecting lugs 37provided with openings 38 to receive the side lengths 320i theholder.Eachdie has a type projection or face 39 representing a letter, numeralor other symbol, in the usual manner, and adapted for imprinting,branding or otherwise reproducing itself upon the surface to be marked.The holder is made of flexible, and preferably slightly bendablematerial and it will be understood that the dies can be readily andinterchangeably associated with the'holder and removed therefrom. Todisplace the holder from the marking device it is merely necessary tobend outwardly the locking or retaining extremities 34, so that theholder may be withdrawn.v

To provide for the adjustment of the die holder and for the locking ofthe holder in different adjusted positions, we employ one, or, as shown,preferably two levers 40. These levers, at their lower extremities haveopenings by means of which they are mounted movably upon the sidelengths 32 of the die holder, extending upwardly through openings 41 ofthe top plate 28, and openings 42 of the bridge 25, provided for thepurpose. .The levers, at their inner edges, and near the lower ends, arecut away at 43, so that they maybe readily rocked inwardly andoutwardly, the openings 41 and 42 being of sufficient size to permitsuch play on the part of'the levers. A pair of locking plates, 44, isslidably mounted upon the top of the bridge 25, and each has a pair ofslots 45, through which passes a headed stud or rivet 46, secured inopenings provided for the purpose, in the top of the bridge. These studspermit the locking plates to have a limited movement in the direction oftheir lengths, and longitudinally of themarking device. Each lockingplate has an up-turned end 47 to facilitate its manipulation. The frame23, at each side has-an edge recess 48 to permit one of the lockingplates freedom ofmovement. It will be noted that the locking plates, attheir inner,-adjacent corners, have cutaway parts 49, so that they willclear the sides of the frame when operated.

The locking plates have substantially central openings 50 of I-form,which approximately register with the openings 42 of the bridge, throughwhich the levers 40 pass.

The levers 40 are provided "with a plurality of edge notches 51 whichmay be of any suitable number, location or position. These notches areadapted to be engaged by the opening edgesof the locking plates, to holdthe levers in different positions of adjustment, for a purpose whichwill be pointed out hereinafter. As will be noted,

the openings 50 of the locking plates are of such size and form that thelevers can be readily secured in different positions.

In Fig. 11 is shown a simple holder permitting the use of the dies orstamps independently of the marking device which has already beendescribed. This form of holder consists of a socket -plate 52 having asuitable handle 53 attached thereto. At the side opposite the handle,the socket-plate -has inturned longitudinal edges 54. The

die or stamp 36 is inserted at one end of the socket-plate and movedalong its length until suitably located. The edges 54 engage and extendover the lugs 37 of the die and hold the latter removably in place. Inthe form of simple holder shown in Fig. 12, a socket-plate 55 isprovided, having a handle 56 and rounded, longitudinal edge flanges 57with out-turned edges 58. These flanges are resilient and permit the dieor stamp 36 to be inserted by merely pressing it between the edges,which spring over the lugs 37.

In Fig. 13' is shown a modified form of die or stamp 59 having at allfour sides, pairs of lugs 60 provided with openings 61 adapted toreceive the side lengths of the holder. In this form of die a differenttype face is'shown, consisting of a plurality of separated projections62 of rectangular form. With thisform of die it will be understood thatthe different characters used in combination may be arranged in verticalor horizontal sequence."

In Figs. 14: and 15 are shown other forms of dies, 63 and 64, having thestamping or printing characters formed by a plurality ofseparatedprojections 65 and 66, of circular form. Characters formed of separatedprojections of this kind are particularly usefulin branding rubbertires, inner tubes and the like, as the actual branded surface involvedis minimized, though a very distinct marking is obtained.

In Figs. 8, 9 and 10 we have shown in side elevation, automobiletiresmarked or branded in three different ways, by means of our markingdevice. In the marking shown in Fig. 8 the brand is applied to acomparatively flat surface of the tire, and for such application themarking device is adjusted in such manner, by means of the levers 4:0,that the faces of the dies are in a. normal plane. In the marking shownin Fig. 9 the letters of the brand are in a normal plane but are curved;to accomplish this arrangement, the levers 40 are disposed as shown inFig. 6. As the holder of the dies is flexible, it can be distorted asindicated in Fig. 6, to provide the curved arrangement of the dies. Itwill be readily understood that the notches 51 of the levers are sodisposed upon the levers that the latter may be positioned and held insuch positions by the locking plates, to effect the requireiiladjustment of the die holder. In. Fig. 10 a further arrangement of thedies is shown, which is accomplished. by the setting disclosed in. Fig.6, by means of which the dies are not only curved as shown in Fig. '2',but

are also tilted, so that they can be readily accommodated to thecurvature of the tire when applied as shown in Fig. 10.

W e wish to emphasize that certain of the details of construction shownherewith form no part of our invention and be varied in accordance withnecessity or preference. For example, while 'we prefer to employ theadjusting and. locking means illustrated herewith, any other suitablemechanism adapted for the purpose may be employed. It should also beunderstood that with the adjusting and locking means as shown, it ispossible to operate the die holder and dies while the marking device isin operation. That is to say, with the device pressed against thesurface to be marked, one or both .of the levers 40 may be manipulatedto rock or tilt the die holder in, order to insure effective contactingof the die sinfaces with the article to be marked.

Having thus described our invention, we

claim as new, and desire to secure by Letand a die carried by saidholder, having pairs of spaced, perforated lugs at opposite sidesthereof engaging said holder.

2. A device of the class described, comprising a base, means associatedwith said base for its manipulation, a holder movably carried by saidbase, means for adjusting and securing said holder in differentoperative positions relative to said base, and a die carried by saidholder having pairs of spaced perforated lugs engaging said holder.

3. A device of the class described, comprising a base, means associatedwith said base for its manipulation, a flexible holder carried by saidbase and movable transversely thereof, and a die carried by said holder.

i. A device of the class described, comprising a base, means associatedwith said base for its manipulation, a flexible holder carried by saidbase and movable transversely thereof, a die carried by said holder, andmeans for flexing said holder,

A. device of the class described, com prising a base, means associatedwith said base for its manipulation, a flexible holder carried by saidbase and movable t'ansversely thereof, a die carried by said holder, andmeans for flexing said holder to rock said die.

6. 'A device of the class described, com prising a base, meansassociated with said base, for its manipulation, a holder movablycarried by said he a and movable transversely thereof, a die carried bysaid holder, and means for rocking said holder, to accommodate said dieto a curved surface.

'7. In a device of the class described, a holder, and a die having pairsof spaced perforated lugs at opposite sides thereof ongaging said holderremovably carried by said holder and adapted to be arranged transverselyor longitudinally thereof.

8. A device of the class described, comprising a base, means associatedwith said base for its manipulation, a die holder movably carried bysaid base, a die carried by said holder having pairs of spacedperforated lugs engaging said holder, means for adjusting said holderwith respect to said base, and means for locking said holder indifferent adjusted positions.

9. A. device of the class described comprising a base, a handleassociated with said base, a flexible holder arranged under said baseand movable transversely thereof and adapted to be tilted with respectthereto, and a die carried by said holder.

10. A device of the class described comprising a base, a handleassociated with said base, a flexible holder arranged under said baseand movable transversely thereof and adapted to be tilted with respectthereto, a

die carried by said holder, means for adj ust-- ing said holder withrespect to said base,

and means for locking said holder in different adjusted positions.

11. A device of the class described comprising a base, a handleassociated with said base, a holder attached to said base and havingflexible side lengths, and dies having pairs of spaced perforated lugsengaging said holder, upon said side lengths.

12. A device of the class described comprising a base, a handleassociated with said base, a holder attached to said base and havingflexible side lengths, dies having pairs of perforated lugs engaging,said holder, upon said side lengths, and means for flexing said sidelengths.

13. A device of the class described comprising a base, a handleassociated with said base, a holder attached to said base and havingflexible side lengths, dies carried by said holder, upon said sidelengths, means for flexing said side lengths, and means for locking saidlast-mentioned means in different adjustments.

14. A device of the class described comprising a base having sides andends, a frame secured to said base and comprising a handle, a flexibleholder having separated side lengths positioned between the sides ofsaid base, and dies secured to said side lengths of said holder by meansof spaced perforated lugs fixed to said dies.

15. A device of the class described comprising a base having sides andends, a frame secured to said base and comprising a handle, a holderhaving separated side lengths positioned between the sides of'said baseand movable transversely thereof, dies secured to said side lengths ofsaid holder, and means for adjusting said side lengths'of said holder toadjust said dies.

16. A device of the class described comprising a base having sides andends, a frame secured to said-base and comprising a handle, a holderhaving separated side lengths positioned between the sides of said baseand movable transversely thereof, dies secured to said side lengths ofsaid'holder,

means for adjusting said side lengths of said holder to adjust saiddies, and means for securing saidlast-mentioned'means in differentadjustments. i

17. A device of the class described comprising a, base having sides andends, a U- shaped frame secured to said base, a U- shaped bridge securedbetween said frame and said base, a holder having flexible side lengthsarranged within said base, dies having spaced. perforated lugs engagingsaid holder mounted upon said sidelengths, a lever secured to one ofsaid side lengths and extending upwardly through said bridge, and meansfor securing said lever in different positions of adjustment. i

18. In a device of the class described, a

base, means associated with said base for its manipulation, said basehaving sides and ends, said ends having registering openingstherethrough, a die holder comprising a U- shaped member having sidelengths positioned in said openings of said-ends of said base, and a diehaving perforated lugs engaging said side lengths of saidholder.

19. In a device of the class described, a base, means associated withsaid base for its manipulation, said base having sides and ends, saidendshaving registering openings therethrough, a die holder comprising aU- shaped member having side lengths positioned in said openings of saidends of said base, said holder being transversely HIOV? able of saidbase, a die carried by said side lengths of said holder, and means forflexing said side lengths.

20. In a device of the class described, a base, means associated withsaid b'ase for its manipulation, said base having sides and ends, saidends having registering openings therethrough, a die holder comprising aU shaped member having side lengths positioned in said openings of saidends of said base, said holder being movable transversely of the base, adie carried by said side lengths of said holder, means for flexing saidside lengths, and means for securing said last-mentioned means indifferent adjustments.

21. A device of the class described comprising a base, a flexible dieholder associated with said base, a U-shaped framesecured to said base,a U-shapedfbridge secured between said frame and said base and 7 havingan opening *therethrough, a lever and'adaptedto engage said lever tohold the same in different adjustments.

22. In a device of the class described, a die or stamp presenting aprinting surface and having pairs of spaced, perforated, supporting lugsat opposite sides thereof. I

23. In a device of the class described, a die or stamp presenting aprinting surface and having at each side a pair of spaced, perforated,supporting lugs,

24. A device of the class described cornprising a die holder having ahandle and a plurality of removable and interchangeable dies, said dieshaving spaced perforated lugs at opposite sides, said holder havingmeans for engaging said lugs to hold said dies in operative position.

25. A device of the class described comprising a base, a handleassociatedwith said base, a flexible holder arranged under said base andadapted to be flexed with respect -thereto, said holder being movabletransversely of said base, and a die carried by holder and means forfixing said holder and 10 said holder adapted to be tilted with saidsaid die in various positions in relation to flexible holder. said base.

26. A device of the class described com- 27. In a device of thecharacter described,

5 prising a base, a handle associated with said a flexible die holderand a die carried therebase a flexible holder arranged under said by,having pairs of spaced perforated lugs 15 base and adapted to be flexedwith respect engagin said holder. thereto, said holder being movabletrans- GEORGE J. ANDERSON. versely of said base, a die carried by saidl/VILLIAM RUDOLPH SMITH.

